Hospital official: Preemie mortality rising due to unit overcrowding

The Chairman of the neonatal doctors' union and the head of the Neonatology Unit at Lis Maternity Hospital, Shaul Dolberg, said that the Finance Ministry is withholding a budget intended for 45 beds that are to be added to the neonatal care units at hospitals around the country.

"After a few years that saw a reduction in the mortality of premature babies, we see an increase in mortality," he said. "We attribute it directly to the unbearable overcrowding of the units." (Meital Yasur Beit-Or)